Eyes wide, amigos! A brand-new report released on December 2 by the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Small Arms Survey warns that the United States has become a top supplier of illegal firearms in the Caribbean 🏝️🔫.
Violence is on the rise this year in the region, with armed gangs even recruiting children and teens into their ranks 👦👧🔫. Shootings in hospitals and gang clashes in public spaces are now alarmingly common—and firearms are at the heart of the crisis.
The study Pathway to Policy: Firearms Trafficking and Public Health in the Caribbean paints a clear picture: in recent years, most illegal weapons seized by law enforcement trace back to U.S. gun stores, traffickers and port networks.
Key takeaways:
- Of 29 illegal arms shipments seized at ports from 2017 to early 2025, 27 came from the U.S. 📦➡️
- Traffickers in Florida and Georgia account for nearly 70% of firearms seized in countries like the Bahamas and Jamaica 🌴🚢
- Maritime shipping is the dominant route for moving illegal weapons across the Caribbean Sea 🌊
Researchers say there’s strong evidence that U.S. traffickers are the main source of illicit guns in most of the region. To curb the flow, they advise strengthening U.S. export controls and beefing up port inspections 🛃.
Tackling Caribbean gun violence means treating it as both a security and public health challenge. It’s time for cross-border cooperation and smarter policy to make communities safer. Let’s keep pushing for change! 💪
Reference(s):
Report identifies U.S. as major source of gun violence in Caribbean
cgtn.com
